Post by Beverley Cross on Aug 15, 2010 11:54:32 GMT -5
This morning during my prayer and mediation time I began wondering how many folks out there have realized what an impact the hounds have made in their lives. I try to start each day by counting all the wonderful blessings God has given to me and right at the top of the list is my beagles. As many of you know, during this past year I have been going thru a life altering time in my life with my the illness and the loss of my Dad, Mom moving in, new grandson, and all the many trials that go with these situations. I have been struggling with many of these trials. Some days the hounds have had to pull me up by my boot straps. So, here is just a short list of gifts that the hounds have given me and how thankful I am to be a part of the world of beagling. Maybe you folks can add to it.
1. My hounds give me a reason to get up in the mornings. The thought of being out in the field, watching them work a rabbit, and wanting to please me gives me gives me unmeasurable pleasure. I can be in a bad mood with lots of the world's problems on my shoulders and then go to the field. It is like a weight has been lifted off me.
2. Unconditional love....... Think about who or what in this world will love you not matter what you do to them. Whether you feed them, pet them, run them, or anything else your hounds will love you no matter what. They look at you with those big eyes and smile at you like you are the only person in this world that matters. I have seen folks be cruel to hounds and that hound would still love them no matter what. They put no conditons on their loyalty and love.
3. I get so excited when my hounds are expecting pups. I think about the crosses I have made, try to guess the colors, the size, the speed, the number of pups. Wonder if this is the cross of all crosses. Am there when the pups enter the world and I am the first person they smell, I break the sacks, dry off their faces so they can breathe good, and help them get their first drink of milk. Sometimes I will even help the mom cut the cord. It is like Christmas all over again. Every litter is a special memory for me and makes a bond between me, the dam, and the pups that can't be broken. What a special gift!!!
4. I love to run the hounds, but I especially love training new pups. It's like I have kids all over again. Watching a pup smell its first rabbit, realize that the smell can be followed, seeing a pup on its first sight chase, and catching its first rabbit with the look of "what the heck am I suppose to do now". This feeling is something only folks who have been there know. The smiles and the laughter will be inside you for a long time.
5. Last but not least is the many friends that the hounds have brought into my life. What a precious gift these little creatures have given to me. I have made friends from all over North American. I honestly believe that each and everyone one of these people were brought into my life for a purpose. I believe God has a plan and if we just sit still and listen we will discover the purpose in time. These folks have made a big impact in my life, have given so much to me, have become part of my family and are as close if not closer than many of my blood relatives. I hold dear the memories I have of sitting and listening to the hounds run with all these wonderful people.
I could go on and on but this is a start. Maybe some of you can add to it and maybe some of you who have these wonderful animals in your life will realize what an impact they have made in your life. I thank God everyday for my hounds.
1. My hounds give me a reason to get up in the mornings. The thought of being out in the field, watching them work a rabbit, and wanting to please me gives me gives me unmeasurable pleasure. I can be in a bad mood with lots of the world's problems on my shoulders and then go to the field. It is like a weight has been lifted off me.
2. Unconditional love....... Think about who or what in this world will love you not matter what you do to them. Whether you feed them, pet them, run them, or anything else your hounds will love you no matter what. They look at you with those big eyes and smile at you like you are the only person in this world that matters. I have seen folks be cruel to hounds and that hound would still love them no matter what. They put no conditons on their loyalty and love.
3. I get so excited when my hounds are expecting pups. I think about the crosses I have made, try to guess the colors, the size, the speed, the number of pups. Wonder if this is the cross of all crosses. Am there when the pups enter the world and I am the first person they smell, I break the sacks, dry off their faces so they can breathe good, and help them get their first drink of milk. Sometimes I will even help the mom cut the cord. It is like Christmas all over again. Every litter is a special memory for me and makes a bond between me, the dam, and the pups that can't be broken. What a special gift!!!
4. I love to run the hounds, but I especially love training new pups. It's like I have kids all over again. Watching a pup smell its first rabbit, realize that the smell can be followed, seeing a pup on its first sight chase, and catching its first rabbit with the look of "what the heck am I suppose to do now". This feeling is something only folks who have been there know. The smiles and the laughter will be inside you for a long time.
5. Last but not least is the many friends that the hounds have brought into my life. What a precious gift these little creatures have given to me. I have made friends from all over North American. I honestly believe that each and everyone one of these people were brought into my life for a purpose. I believe God has a plan and if we just sit still and listen we will discover the purpose in time. These folks have made a big impact in my life, have given so much to me, have become part of my family and are as close if not closer than many of my blood relatives. I hold dear the memories I have of sitting and listening to the hounds run with all these wonderful people.
I could go on and on but this is a start. Maybe some of you can add to it and maybe some of you who have these wonderful animals in your life will realize what an impact they have made in your life. I thank God everyday for my hounds.
